COUNCIL CHIEF'S ANTHRAX SCARE

THE threat of biological warfare moved closer to home yesterday (Tuesday) when Bracknell Forest Borough Council leader Paul Bettison was caught up in an anthrax scare. Cllr Bettison had just walked inside Local Government House in Smith Square, Westminster, when police cordoned off the building at 10.18am. The security alert was triggered after a cloud of white powder came out of a package opened in a sixth-floor office.

Cllr Bettison and other local government leaders were confined to the building as police began investigating.

He was attending a Local Government Association conference later addressed by local government minister Nick Raynsford, who was speaking on behalf of Local Government Secretary Stephen Byers.

Speaking to the Times on a mobile phone from the building, Cllr Bettison said: "Six members of staff appear to have been in contact with the package and for a moment the first and sixth floors were cordoned off.

"I have no idea what's behind this at all.

"It's never happened to me before. People are all very suspicious of packages at the moment and the Local Government Association has to be a target.

"I understand that the package was taken by police to the Porton Down chemical warfare facility for examination.

"We had the briefing from the minister, which finished at 12.30pm, and while we were waiting for clearance to leave the building we tucked into a rather nice lunch."

Mr Bettison said he remained calm throughout and that he hoped the incident had been a hoax.

He added that his main concerns were getting to two further appointments yesterday and the £8-an-hour tariff to park his Jag.

His wife Jean, who serves the Little Sandhurst ward on Sandhurst Town Council, said: "I think it must have been a hoax — I hope it was because I rather like my husband."

A Scotland Yard spokesman yesterday confirmed no one in the building had experienced any ill-effects.

He said the suspect package was being investigated by police.

Chemical experts from London Fire Brigade also attended the scene, he added.

Cllr Bettison and his councillor colleagues were allowed to leave the building at 1.30 pm.

The building, formerly known as Transport House, is 200 yards from the Houses of Parliament.